Despite its reputedly inhospitable environment, the Yavin system was home to at least four sapient native species, namely the Melodies, the Gerbs, the Sliths, and a race of humanoids that was wiped out by the Galactic Empire. Additionally, Yavin 4 became an adopted home for several other species, including the Critokians, the MassassiSith, and some Humans.

While none of the planets were habitable, twenty-six moons orbited Yavin Prime, the largest three of which were hospitable. Yavin 4 hosted a great variety of flora and fauna in tropical jungles, Yavin 8 was covered in tundras and mountains, while Yavin 13's terrain consisted mostly of rocky plains and deserts.[2] Throughout history, a number of space stations were also established within the boundaries of the system, most of them orbiting around the gas giant.[2][6][7][8]

The first known colonists in the Yavin system belonged to the Rakata's Infinite Empire around 30,000 BBY. However, a deadly plague spread among the Rakata in 25,200 BBY, and their Empire fractured.[1] The system then fell into oblivion and was only rediscovered during the Expansionist Era,[2] which started after the establishment of the Galactic Republic in 25,053 BBY.[16] As was customary at the time, the name Yavin was given to both the star and the major world in the system. The first exploration report deemed the system unfit for Human colonization and probably devoid of any lifeform, let alone intelligent life. Upon entering the system, the early scouts noticed an orange sun nearing the term of its middle-age cycle. The explorers thought they needed look no further, so they left the system after a brief cursory examination of the planets and moons.[2]

However, the Yavin system remained largely unknown and uncharted until millennia later, when the Rebel Alliance set up a major base in the fourth moon of Yavin Prime.[2] Even at the height of the Galactic Civil War, the system did not appear on many astrogation charts, since it was far from the Core Worlds and major hyperlanes. With the establishment of the Alliance's headquarters on Yavin 4, the star system became the site of the Battle of Yavin, during which several Rebel pilots destroyed the Empire's firstDeath Star.[13]

Following the destruction of their superweapon, the Empire launched a number of small raids at the Rebel base on Yavin 4, which prompted the Alliance to evacuate the moon to escape retaliation.[17] The Empire officially restricted Yavin 4 space to Imperial traffic, maintaining a heavy military presence that had been maintained within the Yavin system for the remainder of the war.[13]

In the aftermath of the death of EmperorPalpatine in 4 ABY,[18] the Galactic Empire shattered into several competing factions. At the same time, the Rebel Alliance reorganized into the New Republic, a democratic government the function of which was to replace the Empire. Between 4 and 8 ABY, the Yavin system remained under the control of the Zsinj, former Grand Moff of the Quelii Oversector and leader of his own faction. Following Zsinj's death, his former rival and fellow Imperial Treuten Teradoc sought to acquire the Grand Moff's former worlds. However, Teradoc soon found himself caught in a war with Gial Ackbar of the New Republic, and Teren Rogriss—another Imperial who wanted to conquer Zsinj's territory. Teradoc was forced to retreat to the Deep Core. The Yavin system then fell under the rule of Thrawn, one of the twelve original Grand Admirals of the Empire, and was now part of Thrawn's confederation. One year later, with Thrawn's death, the confederation collapsed, and the system was eventually recovered by the New Republic.[1]